Engraving machine



Aug. 1949- F. s. MILLER 2,477,999

ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1945 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 2, 1949. R. s.MILLER ENGRAVING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1945 Aug. 2,1949. R. s. MILLER ENGRAVING MACHINE 4 vSheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 8,1945 HI mlmm IHIHIIIHIW 1949. R. s. MILLER 2,477,999

ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 2,1949 ENGRAVING MACHINE Ralph Scott Miller, New Barnet, England, as-

signor to Reginald Henry Windsor, London,

England Application August 8, 1945, Serial No. 609,603 In Great BritainAugust 28, 1944 -Thisinvention provides an improved form of patternholder for an engraving machine of the pantograph type, whereby a'serialnumber can be combined with the other matter in the pattern holder, andchanged after each engraving operation, thereby enabling the work piecesto be consecutively numbered.

The pattern holder according to the invention has a window in its bedand comprises one way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the first form, showing the patternholder in position on the machine,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view, partly in section, of the right handend of the pattern holder,

Fig. 3 is a section, partly in elevation, on the line III-III in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a section on the line IV-IV in Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing a modified form of indexingdevice,

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an alternative arrangementv of copy drums, and

Fig. 7 is a section on the line VIIVII in Fig. 6.

Like reference numeralsindicate like parts throughout the figures.

Considering first of all Figs. 1-4, It] represents the bed of thepattern holder, which is formed with a number of longitudinal V slides40 for the reception of the patterns to be copied by the stylus 4| ofthe pantograph.

In the bed It is machined a window II, beneath which are disposed, in acasing I2, six copy drums I3. These drums are rotatable on a commonfixed shaft I4 and are of decagon form, bearing on their faces patternscorresponding to the numerals -9. The shaft I4 is formed with tenlongitudinal grooves I (see Fig. 4), and each drum I3 carries a plungerI6,

loaded by a spring [1, for engaging the grooves I5 and maintaining thedrum with its selected digit pattern fairly presented at the window II,so as to enable the digits to be accurately copied together with theother matter to be engraved.

Each drum l3 carries ten pins I8 projecting 5 Claims. (CI. 33-23) fromits right hand side face, these being received in circumferentialgrooves I9 in the adjoining drum, so that each drum is free to rotate onthe shaft I4 independently of the others.

Associated with each drum is a press-button 23. The press-buttons arenormally held projected in the positions illustrated by compressionsprings 2i, but can be pressed inwards to rotate their associated drumsthrough one step, i. e. to bring the next digit into position beneaththe window. Pivoted at 22 to the inner end of each push-button 20' is apawl 23, having a straight part, which normally rests (see Fig. 4)beneath the two lowermost pins I8 on theassociated drum l3, and a tooth25. A tension spring 26 holds the pawl in yielding engagemerit with thepins [8. The stroke of the pawl 23 is such that the drum I3 will be fedround through one step at each operation of the push button 20, theplunger I6 engaging in the next groove I5 in the shaft I4 to locate thedrum in the new position.

An alternative form of indexing mechanism, to replace the grooves I5 andplungers I6, is shown in Fig. 5. This consists of a series of lockinglevers 56, one associated with each drum and all pivoted on a common rod21. A spring 28 normally holds each lever 56 with its notch 29 engagingwith one of the pins I8 on the asso-- ciated drum.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a tens transfer mechanism isprovided and stepby-step movement of the units drum, which is effectedby movement of a lever 30, is sufiicient to set up the consecutiveserial numbers in the window. Two links 3|, 32, the latter of whichcarries a handle 33, are pivoted to'the casing if! at points 34, 35respectively. As later explained, clockwise pivotal movement of the link32 from the position illustrated in Fig. 7 is effective to render thetens transfer mechanism inoperative.

The handle 30 is fixed to a shaft 38 on which is loosely mounted a wheel43 coupled to the handle by a dog clutch 31. When the handle 33 isrotated clockwise as seen in Fig. 7, the wheel 43 is rotated with thehandle. A stop, not shown, limits the rotary movement of the handle 30to 36", corresponding with one tenth of a revolution of the wheel 43.

The wheel 43 has ten notches 44, which cooperate with the pins I8 on theunits drum I3, and move it one step at each operation of the handle 30.Fixed to the wheel 43 is an arm 46 carrying a pin 45. This enters anotch 41 in a wheel 48 rotatably mounted on a shaft 49 each time the 3units drum steps on to present the digit beneath the window, and turnsthe wheel 48 through one tenth of a revolution. Fixed to the wheel 48 isa wheel 50, the notches 5| of which engage the pins l8 of the tens drum,and turn this through one tenth of a revolution to effect the tenstransfer. An arm 52 and pin 53 fixed to the wheel 58 operate, throughthe agency of wheels 56, 55 which are rotatable as a unit on the shaft38 to transfer tens from the tens drmn to the hundreds drum, and similarmechanism is provided between the drums representing higherdenominations.

On return movement of the, handle a spring 36 yields to allow the dogclutch 31 to slip, the pins l8 .operating to hold the wheel 43 againstreverse rotation. i

By swinging the link 32 clockwiseas seen in Fig. 7, the wheels on shafts49, 38 are brought out of register with the pins I8 on the drums and thetens transfer mechanism is erative.

If desired, instead of providing for manual.

operation of the lever 30, the; latter can be arranged to be operatedautomatically, through a suitable trip gear, as each work piece ismounted in position on the work table (not shown).

If the drums, 13 are of large diameter and the area covered by thedigits on them is small, the drums can be round instead of polygonal, asillustrated.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an engraving machine of the pantograph type, the combination witha flat bed for supporting a pattern to be copied and having thereon 3means for locating the pattern in relation to the bed andhavingtherein awindow in which copy representing a serial number can be displayedadjacent the pattern, of a numbering device cated beneath the window andoperable to set up in the window copy representing consecutive serialnumbers, said numbering device comprising a plurality of denominationalcopy drums, resilient indexing means for locating the drums in adjustedposition, and a member for imparting one step of movement to the unitsdrum to display the next higher units digit in the window.

2. In an engraving machine of the pantograph type, the combination witha flat bed for supporting a pattern to be copied and having thereonslides for locating the patternv in relation to the bed and having.therein a window in which copy representing a serialnumber can bedisplayed adjacent the pattern, of a numbering device located beneaththe window and operable to setup in the window copy-representingconsecutive serial numbers, saidnumberingdevice comprising a pluralityofdenominational copy drums, resilient indexing means for locating thedrumsin adjusted position and a member for imparting one step ofrendered inop- H 4 movement to the units drum to display the next higherunits digit in the window.

3. In an engraving machine of the pantograph type, the combination witha fiat bed for supporting a pattern to be copied and having thereonmeans for locating the pattern in relation to the bed and having thereina window in which copy representing a serial number can be displayedadjacent the pattern, of a numbering device located beneath the windowand operable to set up in the window copy representing consecutiveserial numbers, said numbering device comprising a plurality ofdenominational copy drums, resilient indexing means for locating thedrums in adjusted position, and aseries of push buttons, .one associatedwith each drum, each push button, when operated, causing one step ofmovement of its drum to display in the window the next higher digit onthat drum.

ii-Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which each button carries a pawlfor coacting with the pins on theassociated drum to rotate the same,

the stroke of each pawl, when its push button is operated, being such torotate the associated drum through one step.

5. In an engraving machine of the pantograph type, the combination witha fiat bed for supporting apattern to be copied and having thereon meansfor locating the pattern in relation to the bed and having thereinawindow in which copy representing a serial number can be displayedadjacent the pattern, of a numbering device located beneath the windowand operable to set up in the window copy representing consecutiveserial numbers, said numbering device comprising a plurality ofdenominational copy drums, resilient indexing means for locating thedrums in wheel, pins on the units drum, said pins being operated by saidnotched wheel, on movement of said lever, to efiect a single step ofmovement of said units drum, and a tens transfer mechanism for efiectingcarries over from each drum to the drum of next higher denomination.

RALPH SCOTT MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 232,983 Lautenschlage'r Oct, 5,1880 446,788 Peachey Feb. 17, 1891 593,773 Miehle 1 Nov. 1-6, 1897881,926 Hose Mar. 17, 1908 1,162,597 Fuller 1' Nov. 30, 1915 1,395,489Glover Nov. 1 1921 1,423,289- Worne'r r July 18, 1922-

